Lucky Strike Plane Crash, 1944 - Cawston, Norfolk - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

The crash of the Lucky Strike, which came down just across from the church, at Church Farm on 5 Jan 1944. The Lucky Strike was based in Essex, at Station 167, Ridgewell.
The 'actual' crash site is just to the west of the memorial on Church Farm, and not publicly accessible.

"In 1944, Cawston was the scene of a plane crash involving an American bomber.

With one of its bombs stuck on board, the "Lucky Strike" was returning from a raid on the submarine pens at Kiel, Germany, on the 5th of January. A twist of a screwdriver not only dislodged the stuck bomb but also gallons of auxiliary fuel. The crew began the trip home knowing they did not have enough fuel for the return journey and anything that could be thrown out of the aeroplane was jettisoned. As the plane lost altitude, frost began to build up and even the windshield and instruments iced over, the "Lucky Strike" crashed on land at Church Farm, Cawston, narrowly missing the church. Two of the crew members died.

In 1996 a memorial to the crew of the "Lucky Strike" was unveiled by its Flight Engineer, Jack Sasson.

The plaque reads: "Flying Fortress B -17E-29935 “Lucky Strike”
The Crew.
Pilot – Evans, Rowland H. 2nd Lt 0-681361. K.I.A.
Co Pilot – Scarborough, Everett L. F/O T-12228
Navigator – Harkness, Marion E. 2nd Lt - 869597
Bombardier – Kraut, Irving 2nd Lt. 0-739475 Killed in Crash
Flight Engineer – Sasson, John H. Sgt. 11071209
Radio Operator and Gunner – Samuels, Melvin. Sgt. 12184819
Asst. Engineer and Waist Gunner – Rasey, Delbert D. Sgt. 39851905
Armourer and Waist Gunner – Vargo, Julius E. Sgt. 33186083 Hurt in Crash
Tail Gunner – Burckhalter, Hoyt O. Sgt. 38598592
Ball Turret Gunner – Rivera, Julius E. Sgt. 32502246 Killed in Crash"

SOURCE - (visit link)

Date of Dedication: 06/23/1996 Property Permission: Public Website for Waymark: [Web Link] Commemoration: Lucky Strike Plane Crash, 1944 - Flying Fortress Crew And Emergency Services Access instructions: Not listed Access times: Not listed Location of waymark: Not listed

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